Department of Writing & Rhetoric Studies

Writing 1010 and 2010 need to be taken within the first three semesters at the U, and before students enroll in their upper-division CW writing courses.

Events

The Department's annual Writing Awards Ceremony will be held April 24, noon –2p.m. in LNCO 2110. Students will be recognized for
their writing and rhetorical knowledge and skill across different genres: essays,
business plans, environmental reports, science research, and visual composing.

"Rhetoric is rooted in an essential function of language itself, a function that is wholly realistic and continually born anew: the use of language as a symbolic means of inducing cooperation in beings that by nature respond to symbols."-Kenneth Burke

About the Department

In July, 2014 the University Writing Program became the Department of Writing and
Rhetoric Studies, making it one of several high-profile institutions in the country
to better identify its role locally and nationally. We now offer a growing major and
minor while still offering essential writing courses to undergraduate and graduate
students across campus. Our interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Writing and Rhetoric Studies
is currently offered through three partnering departments; students take courses with
us and complement their scholarly interest through the partnering department.

Summer and Fall Registration

Still haven't registered for courses yet? Need help reading your degree audit but
haven't had a chance to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor? Have
no idea how to search for appropriate classes? Then stop by the College of Humanities
Registration Help Lab this week on Thursday (April 23) from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in LNCO
3805. Academic advisors will be on hand to walk you through the basics of reading
your degree audit, searching for courses, and registering appropriately. Students
from all College of Humanities majors are welcome.

News and Announcements

The Department of Writing and Rhetoric Studies recently received a Dee Grant to support
the development of two new courses for transfer students : 1) Introduction to Writing
and Rhetoric Studies, to be offered to prospective WRS majors and minors at Salt Lake
Community College prior to transfer, and 2) Writing in the Research University, a
dedicated writing course for recent transfer students across the disciplines that
will facilitate their transition to upper-division reading and writing at the U.

Congratulations to graduating senior Barbara Ochoa, who has been selected by the
College of Humanities as as this year’s recipient of the Excellence in Humanities Award. She will be acknowledged at this year’s Distinguished Alumni Luncheon.

Mitchell Reber has been awarded the Adelma LoPrest Book Award for 2015-2016. Congratulations,
Mitchell!

Professor Jenny Andrus recently published her book "Entextualizing Domestic Violence,"
with the Oxford University Press Studies in Language and Law

Faculty member, Christie Toth, was the winner of the 2015 Mark Reynolds Teaching English
in the Two-Year College Best Article Award for her article "Unmeasured Engagement:
Two-Year College English Faculty and Disciplinary Professional Organizations" published
in the journal, Teaching English in the Two-Year College.

The Department of Writing and Rhetoric Studies recently received a Transformative
Research in the Humanities Grant to establish a Research Center focused on critical
areas of writing research. The grant provides funding to foster synthesis across the
combination of Writing and Rhetoric Studies individual faculty research efforts, and
to support graduate research assistants. Areas of study include first-year writing
assessments; a longitudinal study of transfer students; multilingual WAC; and science
communication.

Contact Us

Writing is a key component in nearly every career and highly valued in the workplace.It is generally within the top three skills employers look for in prospective employees. We administer the required expository writing courses, WRTG 1010 and 2010, as well
as courses relevant for success in the workplace.